Conduct a free Johnson County warrant search to determine if you or someone else you know has been issued one. A warrant is a legal document produced by a court or law enforcement agency that leads to an arrest of a person or a search of a place.
Information on a warrant can often be found conveniently and for free by checking online databases; these search tools and databases are usually maintained by local custodian offices, such as those mentioned above.
This resource walks you through the best, most efficient ways to find out if you have a warrant in Johnson County, Texas, and how to resolve matters if you’re wanted.
A Look at Finding Free Warrant Details in Johnson County Texas
When looking for free warrant details in Johnson County, it is important to know that warrants are available to the public depending on whether the warrant has been served on a person or not. The Texas Public Information Act gives members of the public access to records within the control of a government office or agent.1
The law also provides for several exceptions to public record disclosure. Section 552.108 is most pertinent regarding warrants. It provides that information in a warrant may be withheld by law enforcement if the release of the information:
- Interferes with suspect or evidence detection
- Obstructs an official investigation
- Impedes the prosecution of a crime
- Relates to a threat against an officer
The statute displays many exceptions but the list is not exhaustive. Moreover, if it contains information that would cause it to be exempt from disclosure, the law enforcement agency in control of the warrant has the authority to redact the damaging information. The agency may also deny a public records request.
If a public records request is denied, the law enforcement agency has 10 business days to inform the requester in writing of the reasons for the denial and request the Texas Attorney General to issue an opinion on the matter.2 If you believe an agency has wrongfully denied your request or ignored it, you may file a complaint.3
There are many different types of warrants, but the majority can be summarized as either arrest warrants or search warrants. Texas Code of Criminal Procedure states that a warrant of arrest is a written order from a judge commanding an officer to take an accused person into custody.4 The Search Warrants Code also states that a search warrant is a written order issued by a judge commanding an officer to search for a thing and seize it.5
Most arrest warrants are public because a person has the right to know if a law enforcement agency or court wants them brought into custody. Otherwise, the law enforcement agency or court would be responsible for making a person a fugitive when that may not be the case. Arrest warrant information can generally be searched through online databases from courts or sheriff’s offices.
If a warrant is public, like after it has been served, an interested party may find its details if they know certain information. Concerning an arrest warrant, a researcher should know, at a minimum, the person’s first and last name. They should also know where the person lives and perhaps where the alleged crime or arrest took place.
Warrants and the information contained in them are generally passed between multiple custodians. The custodians are typically a law enforcement agency, like the sheriff’s office, and a municipal or county court.
This information can be searched online for free through databases. Local police departments also post outstanding warrant lists.
Learn how to find warrant information below.
How To Run a Free Johnson County Warrant Search
There are many ways to check if you or someone you know has an active warrant in Johnson County. An active warrant simply means that the warrant has not been served or executed.
Arrest warrants turn into criminal court cases. If the charge on an arrest warrant is a misdemeanor, then the criminal case will be sent to the county court or municipal court. If the charge is a felony, then the criminal case will be sent to the district court.
All criminal felony and misdemeanor cases can be researched for free using the Johnson County Court Records Inquiry.6 This search function allows any member of the public to look up the charges that led to a criminal case.
If you or someone else has an active warrant then you should search by ‘Defendant’. A defendant is a person charged with committing a crime and they are defending against the accusation.
The search is name-based and requires you to enter the first and last name.
Select ‘Open’ under case status since it is still active. The results will show a list of cases where a defendant shares the same name as the person you entered into the search.
Under ‘Defendant Info’ you can see their date of birth. This will help you identify the correct defendant and case.
Clicking on the case number will reveal additional information about the case. It will show you the charging information, case event history, and disposition.
The Johnson County District Clerk does not provide instructions on how to view case file information in any other method. The Johnson County Clerk follows suit. If you want to obtain criminal case file information to learn about charges and arrest warrant information, contact one the clerk offices.
Johnson County District Clerk
Guinn Justice Center
204 S. Buffalo Avenue
Cleburne, TX 76033
Phone: 817.556.6839
Fax: 817.556.5120
Email: [email protected]
Johnson County Clerk – Mailing Address
PO Box 662
Cleburne, Texas 76033
Phone: 817.556.6323
Email: [email protected]
The City of Cleburne Municipal Court produces an Active Warrant List that contains the names of people with outstanding fine-only misdemeanors.7, 8 Although the charges do not carry a prison sentence, a person on this list may still be arrested by a law enforcement officer after proper warrant confirmation.
The list itself is in alphabetical order and displays the total fine amount due to the Cleburne Municipal Court. A person on this list has been charged and convicted of a city ordinance violation or traffic offense.
If a person on the list comes forward, they will not automatically be placed under arrest. They may come to the courthouse to settle their fine without further penalty. If an individual is unable to pay the balance in full, a Municipal Court judge may allow them to satisfy the judgment by alternative means or to be placed on a payment plan.
Contact the Cleburne Municipal Court for more information.
Cleburne Municipal Court
303 West Henderson Street
Cleburne, TX 76033
Phone: 866.955.5455
Warrant Types & Their Meanings
There are many different types of warrants. Most of them are a variation of an arrest or search warrant. Some jurisdictions in Texas recognize and execute certain warrant types, while others may not. Learn the different warrant types and their meanings below.
Arrest Warrants: A written legal order that authorizes a law enforcement officer to bring a person into custody after they have been charged with a crime.
Bench Warrants: Texas Code 1.15.03(3)(b) states that a bench warrant is a type of arrest warrant issued by a judge when a person fails to show up for their court appearance.
Probation & Parole Violation Warrants: The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has a Parole Division that issues arrest warrants on individuals who have violated the conditions of their release.9
Traffic Warrants: A citation for violating a driving law is the same thing. The Texas Highway Patrol Citation Search allows anyone to look up their traffic citation for free.10
Child Support Warrants: A parent must provide financial support to a child if ordered by a court. If they fail to provide this support without legal justification, a warrant will be issued for their arrest. The Attorney General of Texas provides a list of current child support evaders with outstanding arrest warrants.11
Capias & Capias Pro Fine Warrants: Texas Code 1.43.015(2) states that a capias pro fine is an arrest warrant issued by a court after a person fails to pay court-ordered fines and costs.12
Fugitive Warrants: An outstanding arrest warrant for an individual who has either committed a serious or violent felony or failed to register as a sex offender and has evaded capture. The Texas Department of Public Safety provides a Fugitives Still Wanted list.13
Search Warrants: A legal order authorizing law enforcement to search a place or person for evidence related to a criminal investigation.
How To Handle an Active Warrant in Johnson County
Learning that you or someone you know has a warrant out for their arrest can be troubling.
If you find out that someone else has an active arrest warrant, you could notify them so they may address it. If it is only a misdemeanor or traffic citation, they may be able to pay the fine online. However, if it is a more serious charge, particularly one involving violence, you may notify law enforcement if you are concerned for your safety.
If you are the person with the active warrant you may address the situation depending on its severity. If it is a warrant issued by a Municipal Court, you will likely be able to contact the court and pay the fine. If you missed a court date in Municipal Court, you may be able to set a new court date.
If the offense is more serious you should seek legal advice. An attorney may be able to help you turn yourself in and arrange for you to get a bond so you can be free from jail while the case is pending.
A Johnson County warrant search can be performed by checking with the appropriate court or law enforcement agency that issued it. find out if you or someone else has a warrant in Johnson County, Texas today.
References
1Texas Legislature Online. (n.d.). Government Code – Chapter 552. Public Information. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.552.htm>
2Texas Attorney General. (n.d.). How to Report a Violation of the Public Information Act. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/open-government/members-public/how-report-violation-public-information-act>
3Texas Office of the Attorney General. (n.d.). Open Records Portal. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://oag.my.site.com/OpenRecords/s/>
4Texas Legislature Online. (n.d.). Code of Criminal Procedure – Chapter 15. Arrest Under Warrant. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/htm/CR.15.htm>
5Texas Legislature Online. (n.d.). Code of Criminal Procedure – Chapter 18. Search Warrants. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/htm/CR.18.htm>
6Johnson County, Texas. (n.d.). Public Access: Case Records. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://pa.johnsoncountytx.org/PublicAccess/Search.aspx?ID=100>
7City of Cleburne, Texas. (2019, March 1). Warrants and Bonds. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://www.cleburne.net/576/Warrants-and-Bonds>
8City of Cleburne, Texas. (n.d.). Latest Warrants. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://www.cleburne.net/DocumentCenter/View/5161/Latest-Warrants?bidId=>
9Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (n.d.). Warrants. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/divisions/pd/warrants.html>
10Texas Department of Public Safety. (n.d.). Highway Patrol Citations. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://www.dps.texas.gov/highwaypatrol/citations/>
11Texas Office of the Attorney General. (n.d.). Child Support Evaders. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://csapps.oag.texas.gov/evaders/all>
12Texas Legislature Online. (n.d.). Code of Criminal Procedure – Chapter 43. Disposition of Stolen Property. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/htm/CR.43.htm>
13Texas Department of Public Safety. (n.d.). Texas 10 Most Wanted. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://www.dps.texas.gov/texas10mostwanted/MostWanted/stillWanted>